Hunting with handgun cartriges

I guess when it comes to using a handgun to hunt with, these two cartridges are the most commonly debated, largely because they are both very effective. I find it interesting that sometimes it requires a comparison of two quite similar items to generate heated discussion, where the most logical conclusion is simply to give each option its due and move on. The 44 Rem Mag and 45 Long Colt will both get the job done, at virtually identical ranges, and for virtually identical reasons. The 44 being a little faster and the 45 being a little bigger: I wonder if there has ever been a case where a properly placed bullet from one failed, where the same from the other cartridge would have been successful? I tend to doubt it.

You can't even give either a nod of superiority based on their ability to be loaded down, since both have excellent options for doing so, although in the case of the 45LC, it's more a case of NOT loading it "up". Regardless, both are at the top of the heap for traditional straight-walled cases, used for handgun hunting. About the only thing I can think of that might make the 44Mag "better", is that pretty much any gun chambered for such will handle the hottest factory loads, and that is not at all true for the 45LC. That one caveat aside, they're too close for me to call.

In my experience, for what that's worth, it's the ability of the shooter that determines the effective range of a handgun. The cartridge itself might work to 100 yards, but if the shooter can't consistently hit the kill zone at that distance, the subject is moot. Only the most well-built/tuned semi-autos are capable of putting bullets into a tight enough group much past 50 yards while single-shots and some revolvers are accurate at up to 200.
I've used the following for hunting: .357 Mag, .357 Max, .357-44 Bain & Davis, .44 Mag, .445 SuperMag and .45 Colt; although I prefer the Maximum for larger game. It eliminates the variables; it's more accurate than I am with an effective range farther than I'll ever attempt a shot and low in recoil. The most challenging of all for me though are headshots on squirrel and rabbits with a downloaded .357 Magnum.

9mm Luger - Ground Hogs
.40 S&W - never owned one
10mm Auto - Ground Hogs
.45 ACP - Ground Hogs, Coyotes and one Copperhead
.357 SIG - never owned one
.45 GAP - Coyotes
.45 Colt - Deer
.357 Magnum - Deer
.44 Magnum - Deer, Hogs
.41 Magnum - never used mine for wild life
.50 AE - Never Owned One
.454 Casul - Deer, Hogs,Small Bear
.327 Federal Magnum - Never Owned One

Let throw in these

357 Max - Deer, Bear, Coyotes, Hogs
500 S&W - Bear, Big Boar
Plus I have owned many T/C Contnders, plus a few Wildcats and JDJ calibers

I carry a SIG P220 in 45 ACP when I am working my farm.

Jerry